SIGNUM: Experimental Festival

Some might find The Bran Flakes a welcome relief from the insane hijinks of earlier sets, while others (like Dionyso, who says he is "just not interested" in most electronic-based performance) might prefer acoustic noisemaking and the human warmth of improv or spoken word. But eclectic acts are essential to maintaining the festival’s balance. Duckhugger recommends approaching the festival with an open eye – and ear. "The music is often challenging, yes, but often only as challenging as you make it for yourself... if you come without a suitcase full of expectations to weigh you down, you just might witness many acts that entice you."

Weirdos, Dorks, and Crazy Folk

Between sets, the audience members seem remarkably friendly. I smile timidly at a few people, and each one is warm and open in return, utterly lacking the boringly "cool" attitude so familiar from indie rock clubs and snotty art events. I chat with a newly-transplanted Midwestern girl, who makes short films and who’s never been around experimental music before. She’s excited, she says, and really likes the festival. A chipper-looking, clean-cut college boy tells me he wishes this kind of festival could happen every month in Olympia. A fellow wearing thin-rimmed spectacles sits next to me, and we quickly end up absorbed in conversation.

Even the post-riot-grrrl Seattle woman I talk to at Sunday’s lineup, who doesn’t like the music, doesn’t like Olympia, and thinks that Wood Paneling is offensive for stereotyping hillbillies in their performance piece, seems pretty friendly and unaffected. A shy young woman, hiding behind her long brown hair, peeks out to talk with me about the bands. She knows some of the people, and is enjoying the whole thing.

All these people are nice. But Aerick assures me later that "snobs and jerks" can be found in the small world of NW experimental music, and in the small towns. "We're just lucky to have more nice and friendly folks involved," he says. "Besides, weirdos, dorks, and crazy folk who make the kind of musics that we do, all need to work together and play nice, right?"

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